This is the chain of land and Islands that would otherwise be called Barrier Islands. They are separated from the rest of the land by that huge bodies of water known as the Pamlico and Albermarle Sounds. This whole area is known as The Albermarle. It is a very pretty part of the country, and there is so much more to explore, other than just the coastal towns. The Piedmont (foothills) and mountains are very inviting too, but another time!.
We set out early this day to do the Outer Banks, in particular going to Kitty Hawk to see the Wright Brothers Museum, and then south again to Cape Hatteras. It was a long way there, and a long way back. Just over 200 miles all up.
Leaving the boat armed with croissantwiches in a container for eating on the run (breakfast) and having seared the steak that was getting older by the minute, in the fridge (for lack of eating for many nights), cutting it into bite sized pieces. We took the old cole slaw, which was suffering from the same lack of eating, but it tasted great, having marinated all that time (definitely better tasting, when older!), fruit, forks, towels et all, into the cooler with frozen water bottles which we hoped would keep everything cool on this very hit (91F) day, for the whole day, if possible.
This photograph is of the Historic Colored School at Jarvisburg. Here is some of the history surrounding this building.
The Jarvisburg Colored School: 1868-1950
An Enduring History
Throughout its history the schools in the county have been a gathering place and a civic anchor for the people of the county. This was especially true in the African-American community. However, today we share with all members of the community, our cultural heritage. The Historic Jarvisburg Colored School will represent the history of all the former Colored schools in the county.
In Sept. 1867 the CurrituckBoard of Commissioners decided to re-establish new townships for voting registration and tax purposes. They were:
1. Moyock (Tulls Creek, Gibbs Woods)
2. Poplar Branch (Narrow Shore, Powells Point)
3. Crawford (Court House, Indian Ridge, Coinjock)
4. Fruitville (Knotts Island, Mackeys Island, Monkey Island, Crow Island, Morse's Point)
5. Nags Head (North Banks, Roanoke Island, Nags Head and Bodie Island).
Each township had its own churches and it seems that some of the churches in each township took on the responsibility of operating a school for the newly freed Colored people next to the churches.
There are existing records that indicate that the Jarvisburg School was opened in 1867 in Powells Point, N.C. The school was moved to its present site during the 1890s. The old building was last expanded to its current size as a school in 1911.
2. Poplar Branch (Narrow Shore, Powells Point)
3. Crawford (Court House, Indian Ridge, Coinjock)
4. Fruitville (Knotts Island, Mackeys Island, Monkey Island, Crow Island, Morse's Point)
5. Nags Head (North Banks, Roanoke Island, Nags Head and Bodie Island).
Each township had its own churches and it seems that some of the churches in each township took on the responsibility of operating a school for the newly freed Colored people next to the churches.
There are existing records that indicate that the Jarvisburg School was opened in 1867 in Powells Point, N.C. The school was moved to its present site during the 1890s. The old building was last expanded to its current size as a school in 1911.
The Colored Schools were consolidated in the 1950s and the old buildings were sold by the county as surplus. All the schools were integrated in the 1960s and this building would no longer serve as a school.
All through this area were HUGE fields of Maize, Peanuts, what looked like Barley, but couldn't be sure, and wheat. Sorry for photos...these are taken by Waz, as I drive..I will blame him :)
I forgot the Tomatoes!! how could I?
Wheat fields. This one is small compared to most that we saw.
This bridge crosses the ICW, on a route we did not take, so were interested to look down at the water and see the course it took.
I have to take responsibility for this horrid photo, but its the only one we have of the Kitty Hawk Rest Stop information center, lol. The folks there had never met Kiwis!!! I had to take one lady outside and show here where we had come from, on the map outside.
As you can see....the Pamlico Sound runs across the bottom of the photo, with the Albemarle at the top. If you look bottom left, you can see a dotted line...find Bellhaven, and it is just below that...this is the ICW route we took. Where it stops is where we docked at Elizabeth City. You can see the Dismal Swamp named in the middle left. That is where I am writing this from:) The OBX really are such skinny pieces of land, no wonder they don't stop the hurricanes coming inland...they are also very flat! as one might expect.
We wanted to especially go to the Wright Brothers Airfield and museum. Unfortunately the large exhibit hall is closed and the only exhibit is the one at the Visitor's Center. There is also a monument at the top of the hill, which we didn't go to, but did visit the art/monument around the corner, which was worth the visit.
The words are lovely..please take the time to read them.
Those pillars are stainless steel..it is a harsh maritime environment!
Of course when we saw the Kitty Hawk Post Office, we had to go inside and see if the had commemorative Stamps et al. They didn't, but they did have the printed envelopes.
We purchased one each for our senior family members back home in NZ, and one each for my nephews in Auckland, aged 11 and 8.
As usual, we did an about turn and a "What is down there...." and went in search of the Beach. After our visit to Virginia Beach, we were seeking something a bit more 'natural'. We found it.
To preserve what little there is of the Sand Dunes, there are walkways and stairs over the dunes. I like that they also provide trash containers! and Doggy Doo bags! We see the latter everywhere:)
Our first glimpse of the Atlantic at Kitty Hawk beach.
The shells were plentiful, but well worn....and VERY hard to walk on in bare feet...Pain!!
This little fella is a Ghost Crab.
The remains of a small Skate.
The Wright Memorial Monument at the top of the hill above their Flight Base
The sheds they built the planes in
You can see the Hall of Fame in the background. This is the display at the Wright Brothers Visitors Center/National Parks Service .
The blueprint
The wind tunnel which the brothers used to test their theories
Marshes looking into Pamlico Sound
Some of the many homes that are for rent...most of them are vacant right now. School holidays have not yet begun, and I don't think I want to be there when they begin.
We chose not to climb, due to these conditions!!
Just another rental home! Has views of both the Atlantic and Pamlico Sound
Yes, this house is straight, but I was taking photos while I drove (therefore photo is crooked)...no other cars in sight, promise!!
Did you know that there have been well in excess of 400 Shipwrecks along the Outer Banks. There is a map with all the known and unknown wrecks on it. These are the only ones I could get in the photo!
We drove home the way we had come down. We had intended to go home a different way...via Edenton, but it would have taken us a lot longer, and the car seats where killing us. We were driving a Nissan Versa, and it is not a car you want to purchase!
We arrived home just after 5pm..rather pooped. It had been a long day...even our lunch was kind of eaten on the run. We sat in the supermarket parking lot in the airconditioned comfort of the car, to eat. Not what we had envisioned when we set out...being a nice picnic in the shade somewhere. Not much shade to be had anywhere down these parts.
We went next door to the Grill at the Marina, where Waz ordered the Bar-b-q ribs he had been promised. I had a pan fried Flounder, which was delicious. We went to be very tired, knowing we would have to move in the afternoon, next day.
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